Brooke Elliott: People want to see a normal-sized person being represented on TV

Brooke Elliott, 35, acted in school productions before going on to appear on Broadway. She plays the lead role of Deb/Jane in comedy drama Drop Dead Diva.

Brooke Elliott, star of Drop Dead Diva

Whatâs the show about?

Itâs about Deb, a wannabe self-obsessed model, and Jane, a shy lawyer whoâs brilliant and focused on her work. They both die and the modelâs soul comes back to Earth in the lawyerâs body. She has to figure out who she is in the world now that people treat her differently.

The gimmick of the show is having a model trapped in a larger body. How do you feel about that?

Deb was tall and blonde and embodies what society says women should look like and Jane is more normal. We show Debâs reactions to people treating her differently now sheâs no longer blonde and size zero. People want to see a normal-sized person being represented on TV. Theyâre tired of being told theyâre not good enough if they donât look a certain way.

How did you get the role?

Iâd worked on Broadway but was looking to move into TV and film, so I started going to auditions, which is how I got this. Itâs a great start.

Whatâs the worst way youâve been rejected in an audition?

I auditioned for Guys And Dolls. I was feeling down at that point in my life and did this huge song. I really kicked it into gear and at the end the director said: âGreat. But do you have anything thatâs not so Iâm-going-to-kill-myself?â Iâd sung I Wonât Send Roses from Mack & Mabel, which was a little over the top.

Did you have an easy start to your acting career?

I majored in musical theatre performance at college then went through years of waiting tables and temping while looking for acting work. It took a while but eventually I got the role of the Sugar Bowl in the musical version of Beauty And The Beast and got other roles from there but it took a while.

What has been your worst job?

The temping was really boring. I was always told off for talking too much. One of the most ridiculous jobs was waiting tables in a 1950s-themed âfunâ restaurant. I had to wear a lime green 1950s sundress and had to dance on the counter to the Jackson 5âs ABC every hour on the hour. There were times Iâd think: âWhatâs happened to my life?â

Ever had any mishaps on stage?

I did The Pirate Queen on Broadway. I had to be pulled across the stage. Once the guy pulling me stood on my skirt, the skirt got tangled up and I couldnât stand up to get out of the way of all these dancers who were coming on stage to do a routine. So the guy pulled me across the stage by my wig, which was pinned into my hair. It really, really hurt but I couldnât stop laughing for the rest of the show.

What was working with Boy George on Taboo like?

He was so kind and supportive to everyone in the cast. Heâd write songs specifically for the performersâ strengths and really got to know who we were. Heâs got a good soul.

Do you enjoy being recognised?

Itâs taking a lot of getting used to. I like to hear that people enjoy our show. There are other times when I just want to go to the store quickly in my pyjamas with no make-up on, which I canât really do any more.

Do you believe in the afterlife?

Yes, in a spiritual way. I believe that all things are possible under God.

Are you a feminist?

Iâm supportive of anyone, male or female, feeling good about themselves. I support anyone finding their worth despite being told they canât do something. We accept the differences in male appearance more than we accept them in women but men are also pressured to look the right way â do they have enough muscles? Are they tall enough? Heightâs a big thing and baldness is too. We all have issues to overcome.